How are hsCRP and allergy related?

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a non-specific inflammatory marker that can be elevated in allergies but is not a specific diagnostic test for allergic conditions. In allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, or atopic dermatitis, cytokine release (e.g., IL-6) stimulates hepatic CRP production. Studies show moderate associations between elevated hsCRP and asthma severity or exacerbations, particularly in eosinophilic inflammation. However, hsCRP is neither causal nor diagnostic for allergies – it rather reflects systemic inflammatory burden, which can also be driven by obesity, infections, or stress. In clinical practice, hsCRP is not recommended for allergy diagnosis but may serve as an adjunctive monitoring parameter in chronic inflammatory allergies. Evidence is based on epidemiological and clinical studies, not RCTs. Caveat: a normal hsCRP does not rule out allergy, and an elevated level requires differential diagnosis.